Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Fragrant Remains and Crushing Reunion
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"What the..."
The moment Isaac stepped inside to check Rianna's gift, an exclamation escaped his lips.
He'd been told it was a collection of the beast's innards, bones, and hide, so he'd expected some rotten bundle reeking of decay.
But stepping into the room, what filled the air was a thick, fragrant scent of mana.
His body brimmed with vitality, his skin growing moist and supple.
Was this really the atmosphere produced by the corpse of that ferocious brute?
On the desk sat the byproducts, with a massive bone propped up beside them.
The amount wasn't much compared to the creature's size, but it was plenty valuable as it was.
Byproducts from beasts like Bricala held immense worth on their own.
"This might actually work."
Isaac gathered the byproducts along with the Rose Elixir Roengreen had given him and headed back out.
His steps toward Vivian were filled with hope. He'd planned to visit for his regular checkup tomorrow, but the Bricala remains sparked such unexpected optimism that he moved right away.
"No, that won't do."
Vivian replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"..."
The sharp tang of disinfectant in the infirmary pulled him back to reality like waking from a dream.
"If it were that simple, the Magic Tower would have figured it out ages ago. Aren't you underestimating how the world works?"
"..."
"I told you last time. The Magic Tower has already researched potions thoroughly. A person's constitution doesn't change that easily."
"..."
"If eating something good boosted everyone's mana capacity, why would talent matter? Why select mages at all?"
Was she annoyed?
Or maybe it was because he hadn't listened properly last time.
Either way, Vivian unleashed a torrent of complaints.
"That's why you can't take it lightly. Still, leave the innards and Rose Elixir here. I'll ask around with an apothecary I know."
After a ten-minute lecture on talent, mages, and constitutions, Vivian promised to check with the apothecary.
If she'd planned to do it anyway, why not say so from the start?
But in the past, she wouldn't have even bothered starting what she deemed pointless.
This was progress in their relationship, at least.
"Hmm."
Leaving the infirmary, Isaac checked his remaining materials.
He slung a femur twice the length of an adult man's arm over his shoulder, the hide rolled up like a scroll and hung on the bone.
Back when he did odd jobs, he'd fished occasionally.
It felt just like carrying a fishing rod that way, though he hadn't been much good at it.
"Isaac, there you are. I was looking for you."
Silberna ran into him as he stepped outside. She'd gone to his quarters but found him gone.
"What's up?"
He wondered if she had something specific to discuss, but what she offered was utterly out of left field.
"Here, this."
"What's that?"
In her palm lay a silver-gleaming earring.
Plain design, nothing fancy.
Having wielded a sword forged from Serri Silverlight, Isaac recognized the material instantly.
"This is made of Serri Silverlight."
"Right, from the leftovers after making your sword."
"..."
It was Serri Silverlight, earring or not.
He started to say he couldn't accept it, but Silberna forced it into his pocket.
With the bone in his hands, he couldn't resist properly and ended up taking it.
"Wear it around sometime."
"What if people see it?"
Earrings were meant to be shown off. He'd gotten permission for his attitude, but this was tricky.
"Who outside the North would even recognize Serri Silverlight?"
"..."
She wasn't wrong.
It wasn't commonly available. At best, royalty might know it.
'Still, accepting something like this feels off...'
As Isaac's expression darkened, Silberna playfully tapped his shoulder and grinned.
"Come on, ease up. You've sorted your feelings, right? It's not awkward anymore, so why keep reading into my gifts?"
"Silberna."
"If it's that burdensome, give the sword back too. That'd look like a dowry."
"Ahem."
Isaac subtly turned his waist to block her from taking his attitude.
'Fair point. She's treating me like a friend, so no need for me to make it weird.'
She'd already moved on, so fussing would be rude.
Thus, Isaac decided to accept her kindness openly.
"Thanks, I'll make good use of it."
An earring, huh.
He'd never worn one even in his previous life.
'Well, life's about trying new things.'
This was his second chance at life, after all.
Best to rack up experiences.
'Anna really knows her stuff.'
Meanwhile, Silberna inwardly cheered as Isaac accepted her gift.
His defenses were rock-solid these days.
Using his married status gave her justification, but pushing would only drive him away.
So, following Anna's advice, her strategy was dubbed "We're friends, right?"
[Milady, you know how Lady Rianna got close to Sir Isaac? She rowed the boat as a ferryman, and sparks flew.]
[You're in a much better spot. Comrades who fought side by side, true friends. Friends turn into lovers, lovers into spouses.]
[Stay the closest. You already gave him the sword for an edge. Keep the gift offensive going until he can't say no to you later.]
[Snatch him the moment the divorce hits!]
Her romance knowledge came from novels, alright.
Anna's approach was aggressively tactical.
But surprisingly, it suited Silberna perfectly.
'My resolve weakened at the infirmary last time...'
She'd felt like she shouldn't interrupt their moment and fled.
But Rianna was gone now.
With fewer qualms, Silberna flashed a bright smile and suggested,
"No duties for me today. Wanna grab some beer?"
Isaac welcomed the casual invite with a lighter expression.
"Sounds good. I've got something to discuss anyway."
"Discuss?"
Isaac shrugged his bone-laden shoulder.
"I've got some ideas about this thing."
"Ideas?"
"See, if boosting internal mana is tough, maybe draw it in from outside—"
Before long, they were deep in conversation, sharing thoughts.
Laughing and chatting side by side, the pair actually looked quite compatible.
A few days later.
The Helmunt estate, back after so long, felt lighter than its usual solemn weight.
Nearby villagers had brought tents to set up stalls.
From royalty to commoners,
everyone flocked to the Sword Festival.
Certain nobles received invitations and stayed at the Helmunt manor,
but lacking one didn't bar attendance.
The festival was open to outsiders.
To Helmunt, it was a grave affair, but to locals, a once-every-four-years bonanza.
The path to the estate was already lined with stalls, even early tourists enjoying themselves.
Arandel permitted it all.
Some worried it diluted the event's gravity, but he was confident minor flaws were their issue.
Plus, they had a duty to showcase Helmunt swords widely, embracing the festive draw.
Rianna and Sharen alighted from the carriage before the manor.
"Yaaawn! My body's all stiff."
"..."
Sharen yawned and stretched, deliberately avoiding Rianna's gaze.
With Father's punishment looming, she didn't want fallout.
"Sh-should we go say hello?"
"Yes, milady."
She pretended to address Kelsi while nudging Rianna.
Sharen signaled to hurry, so Rianna slowly headed inside.
"Siiiis!"
A voice after a month.
Sharen's face twisted as she traced it; Rianna's calm eyes widened.
"Sister! You're finally back!"
A tall, handsome man.
Helmunt's third son, Alois, greeted her with a beaming smile.
"I'm here too."
Sharen pouted and pointed at herself, but
Alois's eyes were fixed solely on Rianna.
"Are you alright? No injuries? You should have told me—I'd have come along! You must have suffered!"
"..."
"I suffered too."
"Father's furious. But it's fine. I've prepared excuses!"
"Did Mother return?"
"I got hurt too."
"Yes! She's back!"
Sharen's grumbling from the side was ignored.
She finally huffed off to the manor with Kelsi.
"Ah, you're here."
"Perfect timing. Father's receiving Mother's guests now. Memorize my script and—"
"Guests?"
"Yes! From Blackhand, I heard?"
"..."
Rianna's eyes flickered.
She spun, grabbing her greatsword Ragnavel from the carriage.
"Sister?"
Rianna charged into the manor.
"Oh, right. Almost forgot."
Just in case.
Whoosh!
The greatsword arced.
Still sheathed, it struck like a club.
Crack!
Alois's legs shattered.
"Gaaaaahhh!"
Alois screamed in agony.
Caught off-guard, he hadn't even cloaked in Red Aura, collapsing to his knees.
"Guh! S-Sister?! What the—?!"
"Just in case you try running."
"What?! Guh! What do you mean?!"
"You said you'd prepared excuses for Father. For my sake?"
Rianna strode past her writhing brother into the manor.
"You must have a good reason ready for trying to kill my husband too..."
Pain from his broken legs and her quiet warning echoed in Alois's ears.